SCARIER than Robocop and likely to keep any rowdy football fans in their place, these are the Brazilian special forces who will be keeping order during the World Cup in Brazil.

The 400-strong elite Brazilian military police, known as BOPE, have various weapons at their disposal, including rifles, knives and grenades, as well as 'undisclosed' new technology to deal with any disturbances in Rio de Janeiro.

They are also equipped with kevlar body armour and balaclavas to conceal their identity.

The battle-hardened officers have spent years fighting heavily-armed drug dealers in the city's notorious favelas.

And a badly behaved football supporter is likely to get short shrift from the officers.

Lieutenant Colonel João Soares Busnello, a former sub-commander of BOPE, said England fans will do well to keep their drinking in check when the World Cup hits the city this summer.

He said: "If a hooligan drinks a lot of caipirinhas and does something crazy in Lapa [a party district of Rio] - then BOPE are the ones that will negotiate with him."

He added that the unit will also deal with any riots or terrorist plots.

Around 4,000 regular police and 1,500 military police officers will also be patrolling the streets.

The BOPE emblem features a skull impaled on a sword [BARCROFT]

The BOPE is the equivalent of the British SAS, with one of the toughest training regimes in the world.

Potential candidates must serve six years in the slums of Rio before being recommended by a superior for the notoriously tough selection process.

This involves three months of almost continuous urban and jungle warfare training including unarmed combat, making improvised weapons and use of assault vehicles.

In between drills there are technical, tactical and psychological preparation tests.

They train without rest, and are constantly alternating between running, shooting and martial arts.

This exposes candidates to extreme levels of physical and mental stress allowing instructors to chose by 'natural selection'.

And their emblem, comprised of a skull impaled on a sword with two gold pistols in the background, adds to their fearsome reputation.

Lieutenant Colonel Fabio de Souza, who oversees training, says that 15 BOPE officers have been killed in the line of duty in the last 30 years.

He said: "When a man joins BOPE he takes an oath and knows he will be putting his life at risk to defend society and beyond.

"We are seen as professional troops who put the same degree of importance on all our daily operations, regardless of what it is."